Following the meetings in Damascus on 4–5 June between the IAEA Director-General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, and the transitional President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that it would have unrestricted access to four former Syrian nuclear sites. This includes a suspected undeclared reactor located in the Deir ez-Zor province. This facility, which was allegedly built with North Korean support, was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in 2007. The IAEA began seeking access in 2008, deeming Syria non-compliant with its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations in 2011 amid denials by the administration of then-President Bashar al-Assad of any illicit nuclear activity. Following Assad’s ouster in December 2024, Syria’s transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has moved to re-engage with international oversight bodies. IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi has highlighted this renewed cooperation as a significant step towards resolving long-standing issues and reaffirming Syria’s commitment to non-proliferation norms. This includes collaborating with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate chemical stockpiles. These actions have led to the easing of U.S. and EU sanctions, signalling growing international acceptance of Syria’s new stance on weapons of mass destruction.
Giorgio Lo Conte
